NEWARK, NJ — Key NJ TRANSIT projects in southern New Jersey totaling $82 million are being accelerated as a result of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding.

The funds will generate and preserve jobs in the near-term and create assets that will benefit residents for years to come, including a new intermodal transfer station linking the River LINE with the Atlantic City Rail Line, and signal upgrades on the River LINE that enables more frequent service as well as lays the groundwork for a positive train control system.

“This investment plan complies with the strict federal requirements for stimulus funds while following Governor Corzine’s direction to create and preserve jobs while also benefitting transit riders statewide,” said Stephen Dilts, NJ DOT Commissioner and Chairman of the NJ TRANSIT Board.

“Southern New Jersey is getting a substantial portion of ARRA funding as we invest in worthy projects statewide that will benefit existing and future customers,” said NJTRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.“This stimulus funding dovetails with current South Jersey capital spending to upgrade our facilities throughout the region, from the Shore to the Delaware River.”

With approval of $62 million secured from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and $19 million pending from the South Jersey Metropolitan Planning Organization next week, NJ TRANSIT expects to advance the $40 million intermodal transit center in Pennsauken with a groundbreaking at the end of the year. NJ TRANSIT will also launch the design of the $24 million enhanced signal system for the River LINE this summer.

Additionally, the stimulus funds will support the $12.7 million tie-replacement program on the ACRL, which got under way last week, and will fund new bus shelters throughout the region.

The funds will also be used to purchase mini buses for new Access Link vehicles, Atlantic City jitney service vehicles, rural transportation program vehicles and vehicles for use in several counties, including Cumberland.Funding will also support rail and bus preventive maintenance programs, including major component overhauls.

The stimulus projects will complement several other important investments NJ TRANSIT is making in transit facilities and service, including the major reconstruction and expansion of Trenton Transit Center, which is nearing completion.

Rehabilitation projects on the Big Shark Draw Bridge and Navesink River Bridge also are nearing completion, ensuring reliable North Jersey Coast Line service, and the Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit study is advancing toward completion.

The South Jersey ARRA-funded projects are among $424 million in projects being accelerated throughout the state,including $130 million to advance the Mass Transit tunnel project that will double commuter rail capacity between New Jersey and New York.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.